Bonnie babies

Lovely little Lola and “Jazz Hands” Jones.

Wearing Lacy Bonnets from Erika Knight’s Baby Bloom [Knitting for Two in the US.] Knitted in Jo Sharp’s Alpaca Silk Georgette in Ecru. The pattern calls for a DK weight yarn such as Rowan’s Wool Cotton, but I wanted to knit these up considerably smaller, and I love the feel and colour of the Alpaca Silk Georgette. The pattern is a lovely one, but I think the ribbon rosettes are a little over the top. Instead, I extended the edging around the base of the bonnet and knitted a strap with a buttonhole. Lola’s button is sewn on with a dusty rose thread; Jones’ with a grey-blue.

Sweet though they are, this is not an ideal bonnet for a tiny baby. The under-chin strap bothered these littlies, so they’re wearing the bonnets tipped forward with the straps loose. I think this pattern would be best for an older baby (able to hold up his or her head) in the heavier gauge yarn (just as the pattern calls for, ahem.) But I like fine gauge knits for babies, which makes me think that I might knit this pattern next:



Found at an antiques place near the corner of Burwood Road and Power Street in Hawthorn. The bonnet is knitted Paton’s Super Scotch, an undoubtedly discontinued 2-ply fingering weight yarn. Throughout the book, the patterns are referred to as “recipes”, which has a lovely improvisational feel to it, though I don’t think this was the intention. There is much capitalisation suggesting the dire consequences of using anything other than the recommended Patons & Baldwins wool (BY BUYING A ‘P & B' WOOL – YOU WILL MAKE SURE!) They do however strike an agreeable note in the footer on page 3: What a pleasant thing it is to knit on steadily with a beautiful yarn. Indeed.